Sappho A Lyrical Drama in Three Acts |
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| 4. | SCENE IV. |
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 | Sappho |  |
SCENE IV.
LYCIDAS, and afterwards SAPPHO, from the Temple.Lyc.
Stay, Nymph! she hears me not—or hearing flies me,
Perchance, to follow Phaon. O my spear,
That oft hast on the felon wolf repaid
His outrage on my fold, prepare thy point
To quell a baser robber!
Sap.
What is this?
A youth of wild demeanor: yet, methinks,
He has not long been thus. His eye, tho' fir'd
With rage, has yet a tenderness withal,
That speaks his bosom gentle. Hapless youth,
Perhaps, the nymph he loves has been unkind!
What if I question him? Stay, courteous Swain?
A stranger sues thy converse.
Lyc.
Thou'rt a woman
I have forsworn the sex.
Sap.
'Tis as I fear'd;
Love has done this; yet hear me, tho' a woman,
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Where Lesbian Phaon sojourns.
Lyc.
Phaon, sayst thou?
O that this spear were buried in his breast;
Sap.
Venus forbid! what, wouldst thou murder Phaon?
Lyc.
I would, but dare not: lest a deadlier frown
From Doris should avenge the righteous blow.
Sap.
And loves he Doris?
Lyc.
That his trait'rous heart
Can only tell: enough for me to know,
That Doris, won by his delusive wiles,
Disdains my virtuous passion. Gracious gods!
Why sleeps your vengeance? why, at truth's just call,
Does not destruction's bolt on falsehood fall?
Can only tell: enough for me to know,
That Doris, won by his delusive wiles,
Disdains my virtuous passion. Gracious gods!
Why sleeps your vengeance? why, at truth's just call,
Does not destruction's bolt on falsehood fall?
Is there not thunder in the sky?
Lightning, of pale and livid glare,
Prepar'd the perjur'd breast to tear,
And prove that justice reigns on high?
Fall then, dread meteors, from above!
Ye whirlwinds rush; ye tempests growl;
And wreck on Phaon's impious soul,
The fury of offended Jove!
Lightning, of pale and livid glare,
Prepar'd the perjur'd breast to tear,
And prove that justice reigns on high?
Fall then, dread meteors, from above!
Ye whirlwinds rush; ye tempests growl;
And wreck on Phaon's impious soul,
The fury of offended Jove!
[Exit Lycidas.
| Sappho | |